"The Throne, Part 1" Sermon: Revelation 4:1-11 (video)

 "The Throne, Part 1" Sermon: Revelation 4:1-11 (video) (youtube.com)

"The Throne, Part 1" Sermon: Revelation 4:1-11 (manuscript)

 

“The Throne, Part 1”

Revelation 4:1-11

December 31, 2023 YouTube

          We have looked at the seven churches of the book of Revelation. Jesus’ evaluation of them, and His words to them.  These were seven real, historical churches in what we now call Turkey, and the words to them apply to every church, minister, and Christian throughout time and space.

          After looking at the seven churches – where John is shown the sufferings of the churches and the Christians in them, John moves into the main part of the letter which is the book of Revelation. 

          As we move forward, let’s notice something about the structure of the book. In my experience, there is an idea that the book of Revelation is a single telling of one prophecy that we read from chapter one through chapter twenty-two, and that is how it will all come to pass.  The problem with reading it that way is the text presents trials of the Church and then judgment and the Second Coming, then the trials and the Second Coming, then the trials and the Second Coming.  In fact, what we see in the text of the book of Revelation is seven cycles of the same story being told with different imagery and with increasing intensity.  The book of Revelation is the telling of a prophecy in seven different ways.  The book of Revelation does not teach through a straight line but through seven cycles of the same prophecy.  Seven times, we will remember, indicating completion and perfection.

          Chapters four and five of the book of Revelation are a vision of the throne and throne room of God. We look at chapter four today having heard what Jesus says to the seven churches.

          First, we see the throne and the thrones.

“After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven!”

In John’s day, there was great persecution against the church, and we saw that the church in Laodicea had become lukewarm, yet Jesus stood outside the church – not trying to get people to convert, but waiting for the believers left in the church to repent of their sin and to be filled with zeal by the Holy Spirit, the door again being open.

 “And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, ‘Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.’”

John hears the voice and is told that he will now see how things truly are.  He will not merely hear about what is true, but he will see what is and what must take place “after this.”

Remember that Revelation is written in symbolic language.  When we are told that John goes up into heaven, how are we to take that?  Paul writes, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” (Ephesians 2:4-6, ESV). We are already seated in the heavenly places.

“At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.”

The God Who appears to John has the appearance of stones that are found on the clothing of the priests.  More will be explained about this in chapter twenty-one.  And the rainbow like an emerald ought to remind us of the creation of the rainbow when Noah departed from the Ark and God gave it as a sign of the covenant between God and man that God would never again destroy all the world with water.  More generally, it refers to the covenant that God has made with believers through Jesus for our salvation.

Ezekiel describes a similar encounter and his response:

“And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking” (Ezekiel 1:26-28, ESV).

The picture we are given of God is that He is Sovereign – Absolutely Sovereign – over all things, and this One True God is worthy of all worship now and forever.  We ought to have the door open, our faces to the floor filled with zeal to worship and to act according to the will and the enabling of the Holy Spirit.

And there are more thrones:

“Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.”

The throne of God sits in the center of twenty-four other thrones – or the throne of God is surrounded by twenty-four other thrones.  On each of the thrones, there is an elder. The twenty-four elders are the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles.  The twenty-four elders are the carrying of the covenant from the Old Testament into the New Testament.  As Paul explains, the believers of the Old Testament are united with the believers in the New Testament.  Together, they are the Israel of God. These are all believers throughout time and space.

In the symbols of the twenty-four thrones with the twenty-four elders, we see that they wear white – they are purified and holy, and they wear golden crowns – they have finished the race by the power of the Holy Spirit.

And they are alive and on thrones, so believers are alive after death and are reigning now as we all wait for the Second Coming.  Just as we already saw Paul say, we believers who alive now on earth are reigning now with Christ, united with Him and all other believers.

“From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.”

From the throne of God comes sights and sounds and feelings of unsteadiness – does this sound familiar?  As Moses prepared to ascend to receive the Ten Commandments, we read, “On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled” (Exodus 19:16, ESV).  Even as believers, we ought to remember that coming before God is a serious thing.  As the author of Hebrews writes, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31, ESV).

Before the throne are seven burning torches which are the seven spirits of God – and we have already seen that the seven spirits are a symbol for the Holy Spirit, and the seven burning torches are also symbols for the Holy Spirit. (These are not the seven lampstands which are the churches.)  And the Holy Spirit is before the throne – not because He is less than God the Father and God the Son, but He is in readiness to go forward to do His work as the Third Person of the Trinity.

And before the throne is a sea of glass, like crystal.  The “sea” is normally the symbol for chaos, and it may be here.  Some commentators say that this may be symbolic for the waters of ceremonial washing.  This is an issue we will leave here.

          Second, the four living creatures.

“And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight.”

Ezekiel gives a similar description of four creatures:

“As I looked, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, and a great cloud, with brightness around it, and fire flashing forth continually, and in the midst of the fire, as it were gleaming metal. And from the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had a human likeness, but each had four faces, and each of them had four wings. Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the sole of a calf’s foot. And they sparkled like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. And the four had their faces and their wings thus: their wings touched one another. Each one of them went straight forward, without turning as they went. As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle. Such were their faces. And their wings were spread out above. Each creature had two wings, each of which touched the wing of another, while two covered their bodies” (Ezekiel 1:4-11, ESV).

          We will remember from Isaiah’s call to the ministry:

“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.  And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!’” (Isaiah 6:1-3, ESV).

          And John tells us:

          “’And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’”

          The four living creatures are seraphim.  They are angels.  We are specifically told that they are angels that surround the throne of the Almighty God and confess Him as holy, holy, holy – as we have seen – in biblical writing, emphasis is shown by repetition, and repetition to the third time is the greatest of all, God is the Most Holy there can possibly be, and so the seraphim worship and praise God as the Most Holy possible, He Who is and was and will forever be – there is not and cannot be any greater than He.

          But why four?  Are there only four seraphim? There’s no reason to believe that – especially since the number four is symbolic for fullness or wholeness.  So, all of the seraphim praise God for Who He is – especially in His Holiness.

          Third, the response of worship.

          “And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.’”

          God is on His throne.  The four living creatures – the seraphim – are around the throne – praising God in the highest for Who He is and forever will be – the Holiest of Holy.  The twenty-four elders – the believers of Israel and the Gentile nations – the patriarchs and the apostles – every Christian throughout time and space – they fall on their faces before God and worship Him.

          Gid is the Almighty.  God is Exalted.  God is Glorious.  God is Eternal.  God is Holy.  God Himself is the basis for all of our worship, and we worship Him by casting our crowns before Him – by acknowledging that everything we have and are – all the things we have been brought through by the Power of God Himself.  God’s Sovereignty is the basis of all of our worship. All of these are nothing before the One True God Who is Worthy, and so they, as we, throw our crowns before Him Who is Greater.

          The believers in John’s day needed to hear this as they endured great trials and times of woe.  By focusing on Who God is and worshipping Him always, believers can rejoice in Him always.  Not that trials and woes are not painful or cause us to wail, but, in our hearts, we know Jesus has saved us and no matter what happens to us and our fellow Christians, God is worthy of worship.

          That is not said easily or flippantly, Suffering and trials can be overwhelming, and they would destroy us if we did not know Who our God and Savior is.

          So let us focus on Him Who sits on the throne, surrounded by the elders and the creatures – all of whom fall down and worship – throwing everything aside for knowing the Holy, Holy, Holy God.  Let us focus on what He has done and all He has promised to His people.  Let us remember and trust Him for our futures and our lives. Let us find the joy of our lives in worshipping our Triune God.  Let us worship the Almighty God Who loves us, even as we suffer and endure trials, and the evil that is coming tries to get us to turn away from Him.  Let us know that we have already been delivered by our God and Savior.

          Let us pray:

          As we continue our look at the book of Revelation, we thank You for the visions You gave John.  We thank You that, although evil and trials and woes are real, we are Yours and already reigning with You.   We thank You that – seven times – You do not hide the suffering that has come and is coming, yet You also show – as many times – that You have already delivered us.  And so, we worship You – You Who are Worthy – You Who sit on the throne.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

"Rejoice" Sermon: Luke 2:1-20 (video)

 "Rejoice" Sermon: Luke 2:1-20 (video) (youtube.com)

"Rejoice" Sermon: Luke 2:1-20 (manuscript)

 

“Rejoice”

[Luke 2:1-20]

December 24, 2023 Second Reformed Church

            On Thursday, I went to the bank, and there were two young men behind me – perhaps in their thirties, and the one young man said to the other, “I’m so sick of Christmas.  I’m not going to celebrate Christmas next year.  All this buying gifts for everybody is robbing me dry.”

            I regret that I did not say anything, but I stood there thinking:

            If he really thinks he has to give everybody gifts, he is not gift-giving; he’s fulfilling a perceived obligation.  Because no one has to give a gift – in order for a gift to be a gift, it has to be given – just because you want to – not under any obligation.  That’s why we don’t call our pay checks a “gift.”  Our pay checks are not gifts – they’re obligations.

            If I give you a gift, you should not feel under any obligation to give me a gift – and so forth.  Gifts are given freely out of joy – if they are truly gifts.

            And our gifts – I like the whole thing of gifts – especially “just because” – giving a gift because it gave me joy to give it and there was no specific date or reason.  And our gifts – to an extent – mirror the gifts of God – and especially the Greatest Gift that we especially think of at this time of year.

            And He is a gift – John wrote, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, ESV).  God the Father loved the world and gave His Son to Incarnate – to put on human flesh – because it gave Him joy to save a people for Himself through the work of His enfleshed Son.

            God is the Creator of everything that is, but in the Incarnation, God experienced being in the womb, His body’s growth, being expelled through the birth canal, experiencing the impact of His Creation on human senses, and needing help to eat and clean up after digestion.

            As Paul wrote, “Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking on the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5b-6, ESV).

            The Almighty God – in His Joy – came to earth in the Person the Son – becoming enfleshed in the person of Jesus of Nazareth – and for those years, He put aside the glory that was due Him – He kept the radiance of His Glory – except for a few glimpses – aside, and become eternally enfleshed – the One Member of the Godhead Who is also a human – and was not ashamed to put on swaddling clothes as a gift for us.

            In our text today, we see that the result of receiving a gift should be rejoicing.  Gifts ought to humble us and cause us to give thanks and praise to God and should fill us with joy.

            Luke opens this text in joy:

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  And all went to be registered, each to his own town.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.  And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn.”

We remember that Luke was a historian – as well as a doctor – and he gives names and places, so, as his gospel is read, people could check what he said and confirm that it is all true – it all happened when he said and where he said and how it came to pass.

And Luke draws his line for the date of Jesus’ birth:  when Augustus Caesar reigned, crossed with when Quirinius was governor of Syria, crossed with the first census – the first registration – he took.

And Luke tells us that Joseph and Mary went – with everyone else – to the ancestral home of the husband.  In this case, even though they were living in Nazareth in Galilee – which is why Jesus would be called, Jesus of Nazareth – they went to his ancestral home – coming from the line of King David, from the city of Bethlehem in Judea.

And here we see that flashing light of joy – the people of Luke’s day  would have heard the prophecy:  “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth from me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2, ESV)

And, “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit” (Isaiah 11:1, ESV).

As Luke draws these historical lines, we can hear the joyful refrain underneath: “He was born in Bethlehem!  He was born in Bethlehem!”

And then we have the very subtle announcement: “And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn.”

Perhaps so subtle at this point to give us the joy of knowing that the Savior is a human being, born of a human woman, born in the human way, born in the place that was available for them when the time came to pass.

The Savior is human like us.  The Savior understands what it is to be human.  The Savior can legally take our place before the Father as our Substitute – rejoice!

Second, the angels came rejoicing.

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.”

Picture the scene:  you are out in the hills and pastures, feeding your sheep with some of the other shepherds.  You are guiding the sheep along, making sure they don’t fall into a hole, or wander off into the woods, watching out for any predators.  It’s night, and all is quiet, except for the baa-ing of the sheep.

And then – in a split second – the sky is filled with the bright and weighty light of the Glory of God, and the angel of the Lord appears.  And you and your fellow shepherds are down on the ground shaking.

“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you:  you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’”

And, as angels are want to do, the angel of the Lord said, “Fear not.  Don’t be afraid.  I’ve got good news of great joy which is for every type of person who ever exists.”

The first good news is that the angel wasn’t there to kill them – or you, if you are still playing along.

The second good news is something so great and so joyful that it will be received as great and joyful by every type of person – Jews and Gentiles.  And if the shepherds had a moment to think, they probably wondered what good news would be a great joy for every type of person?

But the angel told them:  The Savior has been born in Bethlehem and He is God, the Savior.  And He is a human baby, and you will find him in swaddling cloths in a manger.

Again, if they had a moment to think:  The Savior has been born!  And He is God and He is human and He is a baby?

Maybe not – maybe they would have remembered what the prophet said, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name, Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14b, ESV). Which means, “God with us.”

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and one earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’

As this good news begins to sink into their minds, the angels break forth in praise – they can’t hold back any more – the angels rejoice from one end of the sky to another.

Luke tells us there was a multitude of hosts.  Multitude and host are synonyms for a massive number – so a massive number of massive numbers of angels appeared praising God, glorifying God – rejoicing in God – that with the birth of this Baby, Who is God, everyone with whom God makes peace is at peace.

Remember, we have said the greatest question – the biggest problem for humanity – is to find out how to be right with God – because it makes all the difference for all of eternity.  And here, the angels announce that God is going to make a people right with Himself – from every type of person – Jew and Gentile – God is going to make a people right with Himself by Himself through the Savior, God the Son, Who had just been born on that first Christmas.

And the angels were filled with joy for the Gift that God had given and was giving for the results it would have for all those who would ever believe. Salvation was made for the people of God in the birth of Jesus – rejoice!

Third, the shepherds rejoiced.

“When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’  And they went and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.  And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning the child.  And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them, but Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

The shepherds took the gift of the knowledge of the birth of the Savior and they went to see it for themselves – to see that it was true – to see the thing that God told them had happened.

And they went and found Mary and Joseph and Jesus in the manger.  And they told them about the angels and what they had said – that Jesus is God in the flesh come to make a people right with God of His own accord – and how they saw innumerable angels and the Glory of God and how the angels praised God and glorified Him for what He had done in sending Jesus to make all those who would believe right with God.

And the shepherds were so full of joy, when they went from the manger – they kept rejoicing – and they told everyone they met about what had happed and what they had seen in Bethlehem – the birth of the Gift of Love from the Father.  It was such great news they had to keep telling people – telling people –

And the people who they told wondered about what they said:  was it true?  Did the shepherds really see the angel of the Lord and the Glory of God and the heavens explode with angels praising and glorifying God for sending the Savior?  Did they really see the Savior in Bethlehem?  Is He really here?  Is every type of person now able to be right with God?

And we might wonder about the people who wondered:  how many of them went to check the story?  How many of them came to believe that the shepherds told the truth – the angels announced the birth of the Savior – and He is the Man, Jesus?

The shepherds were convinced – and they couldn’t keep quiet:  God the Savior has come as a baby!  Rejoice!

Fourth, Mary rejoiced.

When Mary visited her cousin, Elizabeth, she sang, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estates of his servant.  For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name” (Luke 1:46b-49, ESV).

Over the past nine months, Mary had showed herself devoted and humble, a woman who sought to serve her God whatever it may entail.

She rejoiced in hearing the words of the angel and the words of Elizabeth, and now, with that peaceful humility she rejoiced and quietly received the words of the shepherds – and we are told she “pondered them in her heart” – literally, “she carefully stored them away in her heart – in the deepest part of her being” – all of this – something to have joy about and to recount and ponder anew – and rejoice.

Throughout her life, Mary looked back on these words and these occurrences and rejoiced!

Did buying Christmas presents rob your wallet dry?

Perhaps you should give less presents next year and focus on the Gift that God gave to all those who will believe – the way to be right with God through His Son.

If you have received this Gift of God – if you have been made right with God through Jesus – focus on rejoicing in Him – giving Him the praise and the glory.

And then, as you are joy-filled, you may find yourself rejoicing and giving gifts to others – especially the gift of the knowledge of Jesus and His salvation.

Rejoice!

Let us pray:

Almighty God, we rejoice and give You thanks for loving us and sending Your Son that first Christmas that we would be made right with You through Him.  Help us to stay focused on this truth and joyfully let others know.  For it is in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

"Laodicea" Sermon: Revelation 3:14-22 (video)

 "Laodicea" Sermon: Revelation 3:14-22 (video) (youtube.com)

"Laodicea" Sermon: Revelation 3:14-22 (manuscript)

 

“Laodicea”

Revelation 3:14–22

December 17, 2023 YouTube

          The final letter in the book of Revelation is to the church in Laodicea.  This may be the church we are most familiar with – at least in passing.  The images that come to mind of Jesus spewing, spitting, vomiting the church out, and of Jesus standing at the door and knocking, and of this church being the one that Jesus has no praise for are ones we may remember. There have also been songs written about the church in Laodicea.

          Laodicea is forty-five miles southeast of Philadelphia.  Laodicea is in the Lycus valley with Hierapolis and Colossae.  It was funded by Antiochus II and named after his wife, Laodice.  Laodicea was known for its extraordinary wealth.  It was located at the intersection of three highways, and it was the location of the regional banking center, boasted a first-rate medical center specializing in diseases of the eye, and was the garment center of the region.

          The only negative was that Laodicea didn’t have any natural source of water.  Hierapolis had hot springs, and Colossae had ice cold waters.  So, Laodicea had water piped in from Hierapolis, and during the trip, the water cooled down to become foul, lukewarm water.

          On to the letter:

          “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.’

          One more time in the letters to the churches, we are given additions to the picture of Jesus.

          Jesus is the Amen.  Jesus is the “so be it.”  Jesus is the confirmation of everything that has been and is and will be.  Nothing has, was, or will be other than what Jesus ordains in His Sovereignty.

          Jesus is the faithful and true witness.  As we saw last week, this language is referring to Jesus being an exact representation of reality – not just the opposite of false and unfaithful.

          Jesus is the beginning of God’s creation.  John tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:1-3, ESV). Jesus is Himself, God, the Sovereign Creator.

          “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.’

          Jesus uses the example of their water problem to describe them. Hierapolis has hot water.  Colossae has cold water.  When the hot water travels from Hierapolis to Laodicea, the water becomes foul and lukewarm.

Jesus tells the church in Laodicea that she is neither hot nor cold, and He wishes they were either hot or cold.  If they were hot – they would be “on fire” for Jesus.  If they were cold and dead, Jesus could raise them from the dead.  But they are lukewarm – what is Jesus to do with that?

Have you ever turned on the faucet to get a drink, and you have it in a position where the water comes out lukewarm, and you take a drink and then spit it out? The church in Laodicea wasn’t good for anything but spitting out.  Jesus, the Almighty God, says the only thing He can do with them – where they are – is spit them out in disgust.

Jesus knows the works of this church.  They have a high estimation of themselves.  They are satisfied in their sin and oblivious to it.

“‘For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.’

The church in Laodicea looked at themselves – they were rich, they prospered, they didn’t think they needed anything.  They were just like the culture around them. They thought if they were rich and prosperous that they didn’t have any needs.  God must love them and be satisfied with them, because they have everything anyone could ever want.  They had a church that reflected their city – wealthy, well-groomed, educated, acceptable, enjoyable people.  The church offered all the functions that the YMCA and the schools did.  They had a pool and a basketball court.  They offered a lunch program and after school care. And on Sunday, if there wasn’t a game, or if they weren’t too tired, or if they didn’t have something else to if, they gathered together to hear the Word of God which is the basis, they thought, for understanding that if everything is coming up roses, God must be pleased with them – very pleased in deed.  They were, in fact, self-righteous.

Peter writes, “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (I Peter 5:5, ESV).

Jesus tells them that they may have the best of everything the world has to offer, but they were oblivious to their spiritual needs.

“As far as your spiritual needs, you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”

What would the response be if you went to your elders and told them that the pastor is wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked as far as his spiritual understanding and life are concerned?  Especially if the church was wealthy, well-respected, and fit in with the culture perfectly.  What if you said that, even so, the church is wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked as far as spiritual understanding and life are concerned to your elders about the church?

The point is that the church is not to be like the world.  It should not try to be like the world.  That is not to say that the church cannot do some of the things the world does.  But if the church is not different from the world, separate from the world, a witness against the world and to salvation in Jesus Alone, we are not a biblical church.

It’s fine to be part of a band, or be in a choir, or be in a theater group, or play sports, or provide food for people, or help people get housing, and so on and so on, but if we are not preaching and teaching the Word of God Alone, praying, receiving the sacraments, evangelizing, and having fellowship and showing hospitality to the Christians in our local church, we are not a church, but a copy – and probably a poor one – of the world.  The church must be different and proclaim the message of salvation that she alone can proclaim.

Paul writes, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty’” (II Corinthians 6:14–18, ESV).

The church in Laodicea made Jesus nauseous. Do we make Jesus nauseous?

Jesus tells them it is not quite too late for them to turn back to following Him faithfully. Jesus counsels them to do three things:

“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.”

Do we see how Jesus distinguishes between the church and the world?

Laodicea was a wealthy city, but it was not the wealth that is found in Jesus.  So Jesus tells them to buy from Him gold refined by fire – and in that you will be rich.  Not the riches of the world, but the riches of being in Christ.

Laodicea was the garment center of the area, but those garments were meaningless in being a Christian.  So, Jesus tells them to buy white garments – remember white symbolizes purity and holiness – and the shame of their nakedness will not be seen – because sin is covered in Jesus.

Laodicea had a world renown hospital with special treatments for the eyes, but those salves could not open a person’s spiritual eyes.  So, Jesus says to buy salve from Him, so they would have spiritual sight.  Once they were blind, but now they see.

“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.”

Notice, despite Jesus saying He was ready to spit them out of His mouth, He tells them that He loves them, and since He loves them, He reproves and disciplines them and commands them to repent of their sin and to become zealous for the Gospel – to become like the water of  Hierapolis – be zealous for Jesus – don’t just sit in the pews and be happy with the world and what you think of yourself – be hot, boiling – show the world that Jesus and His salvation is more important than anything and everything else in the world.

Then we have a very familiar text, and we may have even seen the painting reflecting this text.  I have heard it preached on in two different ways, both of which are wrong:

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

Both of the wrong ways to interpret this text is to see it as an evangelistic text – that it is about Jesus at the door of the heart of an unbeliever asking to be invited into the unbeliever’s heart.

The first way is basically what we have just said – Jesus – wanting to save each person – goes to the door of that person’s heart and knocks, waiting and hoping that He will be let in – saving the person.

Thes second way – a way I have not heard as frequently, thankfully – is not like the painting, but it is the idea that Jesus is outside the door of the unbeliever’s heart.  Jesus is in ratty clothes and crying, hoping that the person will let Jesus in so Jesus will be healed by healing – saving – the unbeliever.

That is not what this text is saying.

The first thing to notice is that Jesus is not knowing at the door of an unbelieving heart – He is knocking at the door of the Laodicean church which is on the verge of having its candlestick removed.

Jesus is knocking at the door of the church --- having told them to repent and become boiling hot for Jesus.  Jesus is waiting to see who in the church will repent and become boiling for Him.  This is not a matter of their becoming Christians, but of their repenting and becoming zealous for Jesus and His gospel.

And, to those who open the door and repent and become zealous for Jesus, Jesus will eat with him and he with Him.

Commentators say that Jesus is saying He will eat the Lord’s Supper with them.  Jesus will be united to those – who are Christian but change the way they are living – through the receiving of the bread and the cup.  Jesus is spiritually present in the bread and the cup, and all true believers are united with Jesus as we receive the elements.  So, Jesus is saying that after they have been disciplined and repented for their sin, Jesus will reassert His spiritual union with them as they join together in eating the elements.

“The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.”

Who is the one who conquers?  The one who has been loved by Jesus to salvation.  We will remember this familiar passage:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39, ESV).

The believers in the church in Laodicea who repent of equating being right with God – being saved in Jesus – with wealth and being like the world – they are conquerors over sin because Jesus loves them. 

In the same way, Jesus loves us and tells us not to measure our being a Christian, and being mature in the faith, and being loved by any measure other than zealous faith and the reception of Jesus’ love through God the Holy Spirit.

And so, Jesus tells the Laodiceans that they will sit on Jesus’ throne, just as Jesus sits on the throne of His Father.  True believers will be given power and authority – under God – in the Kingdom that is to come.  The throne symbolizes kingship, power, and authority.

If we have a big church, a wealthy church, a church that is well thought of, a church that provides all kinds of programs, a church that believes it is so right in God’s eyes that He is blessing them hand over fist, it doesn’t necessarily mean anything about the church’s health spiritually.  We may be going through the motions and trying to be like the world.  We may be a church that Jesus is getting ready to spew out of His mouth.

Let us examine ourselves and our churches and see whether we are preaching the Word of God Alone and obeying all that God has said and believing savingly in Jesus, the Only Savior.

Finally, we end with a call to the church in Laodicea, the seven churches of Revelation, and all the churches throughout time and space.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

          Let us pray:

          Almighty God, we can get quite satisfied with who we are in Your Sight.  Forgive us for believing our faithfulness is found in our approval before the world and in our feeling good about ourselves spiritually.  Help us to open the door so You would come in and share the bread and the cup with us.  Cause the Holy Spirit to set us on fire with zealousness for You.  And cause us to grow in faith and obedience now and until the day Jesus returns and brings us into the New Jerusalem.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Review: "Jesus Wins"

 

One of the books I read (as I am preaching through Revelation) is Jesus Wins: The Good News of the End Times by Dayton Hartman.

Hartman says that arguing about eschatology solves nothing. One just needs to know that eschatology is to be understood as a return to Eden. The Kingdom begins with the Church, and we are already seated with Christ in the heavenly places.

He goes on to explain the different millennial views, and he puts for the eschatological view of the ecumenical creeds.

He concludes that when Jesus returns, He wins.

He has a first appendix with suggested reading, a second with the Athanasian Creed.  Then he has endnotes and a bibliography.

I did not find this book helpful.  Besides saying that Jesus wins in the end, there is no solid, coherent argument for what that means or how it comes to pass.

Review: "Scales of Justice"

 

Scales of Justice a Roderick Alleyn mystery by Ngaio Marsh.

The scales of a trout are as different as human fingerprints are from each other.  Even the scales of the great Old’un trout laying next to the body of Colonel Cartarette.

A quaint small town of people with old money is put out when someone murders Colonel Cartarette.

Inspector Alleyn comes to investigate, and everyone is put off by his questioning.  Eventually, he identifies the killer, though the townsfolk are still annoyed and just want him to leave.

A great mystery with a town of people you’ll remember.  Though it will annoy them.

Review: "The Heart of the Reformation"

 

I recently finished using, The Heart of the Reformation: A 90 Day Devotional on the Five Solas by Ligonier Ministries. 

For those who may be unaware, the “Five Solas” are five “Alone” statements that were – and are – foundational to the Reformation and the Reformed understanding of Christianity.  These are Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone), Solus Christus (Christ Alone), Sola Gratia (Grace Alone), Sola Fide (Faith Alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (to the Glory of God Alone).

Each of these five are explored through Scripture and devotional reading. The devotional is divided into five sections or collections of readings. Each day’s devotion begins with a Scripture that presents the sola in the section being explored. Then there is a reflection on the text including an explanation of how the text shows the truth of the sola.  To the side of each reading are four of five readings “for addition study.”

As someone who believes that the solas are biblical and taught throughout the Scripture, I had my understanding and belief in them supported and widened.  I would recommend this devotional to every Christian, whether Reformed or not.

The two things that I hope will change in future editions of this devotional are:  to publish the text in a larger font.  I found it on the difficult side to read.  Also, and even more importantly, each section is divided by a light green page with white text on it, which I found almost unreadable.  The combination of colors doesn’t work.

So, put on your reading glasses and learn more about the Scriptural doctrines explored in this devotional.

Review: "40 Questions about the Text and Canon of the New Testament"

 

I have read a number of the “40 Questions” series, and, at this point, I can say that 40 Questions About the Text and Canon of the New Testament by Charles L. Quarles and L. Scott Kellum is my favorite.

As always in this series, the book is divided into headings with x number of questions under each heading.  The authors divide the questions into “the text of the New Testament,” and “the Canon of the New Testament.”

They begin by considering where we get the text of the canon and how we can consider it reliable.  From there, they question how the canon came to trust certain manuscripts over others.  Finally, in this heading, they consider the arguments for debated texts in the canon, such as the woman caught in adultery and the ending of the book of Mark.

I found it impressive and helpful that they presented (at least) the major views on each of the items in questions.  That way, the reader can come to his own conclusion within the presentation and arguments the authors provide.

In the second heading, the authors begin by explaining what a canon is, and how the Church in varying ages saw what the canon was – including differences on the acceptance of some books.

Next, they consider whether the who canon was travelling as a single volume in the early Church – if not, were the Gospels, Luke-Acts, and Paul’s letters available as bound sets?

Finally, they ask if the Apostles considered contemporaneous texts to themselves to be Scripte, how the Scripture is to be used in the Church, and what the theological meaning of having the canon is.

If you are interested in how the text of the New Testament became the canon, or the differing views on controversial issues, this book is excellent.  It is readable and covers a wide ground on the topic.  This is a book I will recommend for anyone having an interest or question about the Text and Canon of the New Testament.

"Philadelphia" Sermon: Revelation 3:7-13 (video)

 (2) "Philadelphia" Sermon: Revelation 3:7-13 (video) - YouTube

"Philadelphia" Sermon: Revelation 3:7-13 (manuscript)

 

“Philadelphia”

Revelation 3:7-13

November 26, 2023 YouTube

          The church in Philadelphia – named so by Attalus II, King of Pergamum due to his love for his brother, Eumenes – thus, the nickname between the brothers, and the name of this city.  Philadelphia was thirty miles southeast of Sardis and was known for its frequent earthquakes.  Otherwise, the only really significant thing about the church in Philadelphia is that Jesus did not condemn any sin in the church.

          Our look at the church begins with a look at Who Jesus is:

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one,

          Jesus says these are the words of the Holy One.  There is only One Who is Holy – He Who is Holy, Holy, Holy – so Jesus is proclaiming that He is God.  He also says these are the words of the True One.  The word that is used here does not simply mean true as opposed to false.  The word means corresponding to reality.  Jesus’ words are the very reality of existence.

“’who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

What is the key of David?

After Peter confess Jesus as Messiah, the Son of God, Jessus says, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Mathhew 16:19, ESV).

The Roman Catholic Church mistakenly says that Jesus gave Peter a specific power and authority and that power and authority continues through all of the popes of history.

In Isaiah, we read that God overthrows Shebna and puts Eliakim in his place, and God says, “and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your sash on him, and will commit your authority to his hand. And he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open” (Isaiah 22:22-21, ESV).

          The keys of the kingdom of heaven and the key of David are the same thing – they represent the authority of Jesus and Jesus’ investment of that authority in His people that they would be able to carry out His plans.  Jesus delegates His Power to His people – He gives them authority over entrance into the Kingdom – that is not to say that Jesus’ people choose who will be received into the Kingdom – but through acting in the name of Daivd and in the Name of the greater David – Jesus – others will see the power and authority of Jesus and come to know that it is only through Him that we may be saved.

          Jesus says that – by His Authority – the Keys – He opens doors that cannot be shut – He calls people into the Kingdom who will come in answer to His call – and He shuts doors that cannot be opened – Jesus has been given a people to be His – and all those the Father has chosen have been Jesus’ from before the foundation of the world, but those who have not been chosen to be part of the Kingdom – to them the door is shut and it cannot be opened.  Jesus opens the door to the Kingdom, and it stays open so all those who will ever believe will enter, and He locks the door shut to those who will never believe and will never be welcomed into the Kingdom.

          The church in Philadelphia – and all who truly believe in Jesus for salvation throughout time and space – is given the authority to call people to faith and belief in Jesus Alone for salvation – welcoming them into the door that Jesus has permanently opened – and warning those who do not believe and even practice blatant works of the devil – that there is another door that will never be opened to those who never believe.

          Second, they performed the ministry of the Gospel.

“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Jesus knows the work of the church in Philadelphia.  Jesus knows that they are true believers, and He tells them that since they are, the door to the Kingdom is forever open to them, and it will not be shut.  The believers of the church in Philadelphia keep God’s Word – they do everything God calls all people to do, and they do not deny the Name of Jesus – they hold fast to their belief that Jesus Alone is the Savior of all those who will ever believe throughout time and space.

Jesus opens the door so the church in Philadelphia would use the ability to serve their Savior, for the preaching of the Gospel, for their usefulness and faithful service, and the successful witness to Him.  This work does not overwhelm them or discourage them, and they remember Jesus’ words, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30, ESV).

Although the door to the Kingdom is eternally open to believers and eternally closed to non-believers, God opens and closes the doors of the people and places we go to from time to time and in accordance with His plans.

Paul writes about how God opened and closed doors for ministry according to His Will, “for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” (I Corinthians 16:9, ESV).

Again, Paul writes, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:2-4, ESV).

God used the church in Philadelphia and will use us to spread His Goepel when and where He knows it is right.  We are to be ready in faithful service and the Holy Spirit will make our witness to Jesus successful.

The church in Philadelphia is great in belief and in the power of God and obedience and love of the Law of God, but, in the eyes of the world, they are a small church with few people – hardly a church that would turn the world upside down for Jesus. Especially since they had enemies around them.

“Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.

We will remember as Paul is mourning the rejection of Jesus by the Jews – after Israel had received all the knowledge and benefits that one would think would make them all believe when they heard the Word of God – Paul says, “But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring” (Romans 9:6-8, ESV).

In other words, just because you call yourself a Jew doesn’t make you a Jew, and just because you call yourself a Christian doesn’t make you a Christian. In fact, Jesus says that the Jews who are attacking the Christians in Philadelphia are not Jews, but they make up a synagogue of Satan. And there is the implication that they wanted the Christians to bow before them as being less than they.  But Jesus says those of the synagogue of Satan will bow before the true Christians, In the prophecy of Isaiah, we read that all unbelievers will bow before the believers, not to mention the Messiah, Jesus:

“The sons of those who afflicted you shall come bending low to you, and all who despised you shall bow down at your feet; they shall call you the City of the LORD, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 60:14, ESV).

And Jesus says, “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.”

The Philadelphian church kept the Word of God and patiently endured the persecution by those of the synagogue of Satan.  The Philadelphian church was marked by an active, strong faith, and because of that, Jesus will keep them from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole earth – those who dwell on the earth.

Some will want to quickly jump to saying this refers to the tribulation before Jesus’ return, but there are questions that we will not answer here:  what does Jesus mean by the “hour” of trial?  What does He mean that it will come on “the whole earth”? Some will say it is obvious.  I am going to leave the issue here.

The one thing I will note for us is that Jesus says He will “keep them” from the “trial.” The church in Philadelphia lasted longer than the other six churches – remaining until 1390 A.D. when the Ottoman Empire took the city.

Third, they were rewarded for their steadfast belief in the Word of God.

          “I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.”

          We have seen before that the crown that Jesus gives for faithfulness to the Word of God is not a gold crown with precious stones.  We will remember that the crown is the vine-woven crown given to the winner of a race or other sporting event.  The value is not in the crown, but in the holding fast to the Word of God in faithfulness no matter what happens.

“The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.

The church in Philadelphia remained faithful and were conquerors among the pagans, as the preached and proclaimed the whole Word of God faithfully and obeyed it. The church in Philadelphia and all believers throughout time and space who are conquerors by the work of Jesus and the empowering of God the Holy Spirit, Jesus says He will make him a pillar in the Temple of God.

Is Jesus saying that the Temple will be rebuilt?  Is He saying that He will turn every Christian into a marble pillar?

Hiram from Tyre, under the instruction of King Solomon, crafted the pillars of the Temple, and we read about the vestibule:

“He cast two pillars of bronze. Eighteen cubits was the height of one pillar, and a line of twelve cubits measured its circumference. It was hollow, and its thickness was four fingers. The second pillar was the same” (I Kings 7:15, ESV).

And then we are given an important comment:

“He set up the pillars at the vestibule of the temple. He set up the pillar on the south and called its name Jachin, and he set up the pillar on the north and called its name Boaz” (I Kings 7:21, ESV).

Jachin means “he establishes.”  And Boaz means “strength.”

What Jesus is saying is the ones who conquer, Jesus will establish in strength.  Those in the church in Philadelphia and all believers throughout time and space will be established in strength by Jesus.  We will stand firm in Christ’s Power.  We will be immovable, sturdy, and of Jesus’ very being.  Thise who truly believe will be forever Jesus’ and preserved in His Strength and Power.

And Jesus will write three things on His people:  the Name of God, the name of the New Jerusalem, and the new name of Jesus.  He writes these things on His people – symbolically – to make us as His forever – eternally saved by Him.

What is the Name of God?

When Moses heard from God out of the burning bush, and God told him to free God’s people from Egypt, we read:

“Then Moses said to God, ‘If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they ask me, “What is his name?” what shall I say to them?’ God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: “’I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:13-14, ESV).

The name of the New Jerusalem is the New Jerusalem, which means, “The new city of peace.”

And the new name of Jesus, John records later in the book of Revelation: 

“On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16, ESV).

Jesus is telling the believers in the church in Philadelphia – and all true believers there will ever be – that we will be marked and known to be the people of the Sovereign God, in the restored Creation, we will eternally live in the new city of peace, and we will be with our Savior, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

What a glorious message that was given to the church in Philadelphia:

A church that was given the authority to proclaim the Word of God – just like we are.

A church that performed the ministry of the Gospel – just as we are called to do.

A church that was rewarded for their steadfast belief in the Word of God – just like we have been promised by our one and only Savior, Jesus.

And, again, this letter ends for this church and the seven churches and all churches:

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

          Let us pray:

          Almighty God, You have shown us a church that was faithful under persecution – a church that stood strong for Jesus and was made conquers by the Holy Spirit.  Help us not be afraid of the synagogue of Satan or the trial about to come, but to hold fast and be immoveable in Jesus, looking to win the crown and be brought into the restored Creation with our God and Savior.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.